Persib secured qualification for the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2026/2027 season after defeating Philippine club Manila Digger 1-0 in the preliminary round at Stadion Si Jalak Harupat in Kabupaten Bandung, Senin, 31 Agustus 2026. Following the drawing, the Indonesian side landed in Group E of the East Zone, where they face a demanding six-match schedule against three clubs from different countries in a home-and-away format.
FC Seoul Poses Early Test in Group E
Persib kicks off its group stage campaign against FC Seoul at Stadion Piala Dunia Seoul. FC Seoul enters the competition as a dominant force in South Korean football, holding the top spot in the K League 1 standings following a 5-2 victory over Gwangju FC on 30 Agustus 2026. Head coach Kim Gi-dong manages the South Korean side, having previously directed Pohang Steelers in domestic and continental competitions. FC Seoul earned its ACL Two berth by finishing sixth in the 2025 K League 1 campaign.
The Cong-Viettel Brings Military History to Hanoi
In the second fixture of the group stage, Persib hosts Vietnamese club The Cong-Viettel FC in Bandung before traveling to Hanoi for the return leg. Known by the nickname “Doi Bong ao Linh” or the “tim sepak bola militer,” the club carries a long history tied to Vietnam’s military environment. The team qualified for the continental tournament by finishing as runners-up in the V.League 1 2025/2026. Bulgarian coach Velizar Popov directs the squad, bringing prior managerial experience from across Southeast Asia.
Melbourne Victory Starts New Era Under Giovanni Savarese
Persib faces Australian club Melbourne Victory in a home-and-away series during the autumn schedule. The A-League Men club, nicknamed “The Boys in Blue,” enters the 2026/2027 season under newly appointed head coach Giovanni Savarese, who signed a two-year contract following extensive managerial experience in the United States. This tournament marks Melbourne Victory’s debut appearance in the competition.
Did You Know?
Group E features clubs representing three countries—South Korea, Vietnam, and Australia—competing to secure one of the top two spots advancing to the babak 16 besar.
ACL Two Group E Match Calendar
Persib navigates a packed autumn itinerary to advance past the group stage. The complete Group E fixture list unfolds across the following dates:
- 16 September 2026: FC Seoul vs PERSIB
- 14 October 2026: PERSIB vs The Cong-Viettel
- 28 October 2026: PERSIB vs Melbourne Victory
- 4 November 2026: Melbourne Victory vs PERSIB
- 25 November 2026: PERSIB vs FC Seoul
- 2 Desember 2026: The Cong-Viettel vs PERSIB
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Persib qualify for the AFC Champions League Two 2026/2027?
Persib advanced to the group stage by defeating Manila Digger 1-0 in the preliminary round at Stadion Si Jalak Harupat in Kabupaten Bandung.
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Which teams are in Persib’s group for the ACL Two?
Persib competes in Group E of the East Zone alongside FC Seoul from South Korea, The Cong-Viettel FC from Vietnam, and Melbourne Victory from Australia.
What is the format of the ACL Two group stage?
Teams play a schedule consisting of home and away fixtures, with the top two finishing clubs securing qualification for the babak 16 besar.
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